#1: Want to Microbraid Roots and leave ends out? What about extensions??????????

Hey there, I'm thinking about microbraiding the roots of my hair about 1-3 inches in and leaving my ends out. I would need to put product on the ends like a mousee to keep the curls in control.

Has anybody done this before? My hair is shoulder length, a little longer in some places from an uneven cut a year ago that I've been growing out. I don't want to braid in extensions b/c I'm worried about hair loss and I was told that extensions work best on very short hair. Is this true?

If anyone has had micros or has left their ends out or even has had extensions braided in, please let me know how you ended up liking it???